Playground apparatus



Dec. 18, 1934. w, H, sHAFr-'ERT PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Filed May 5l, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Fig.

Afin-rifle Dec. 18, 1934. w. H. SHAFFERT 1,984,767

PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Filed May 3l, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Willard H. Elflafferf IwvE'n'n-'r y AND-P11125' Patented Dec. 18, 1934 UNITED STATES PLAYGROUND APPARATUS Willard H. Shalert, Boston,l Mass.. Application May 31, 1932"," Serial vNo.' 614,548

2 claims. (oriseec).

`This invention relates to new and novel play-` ground apparatus adaptable for sports, recreation, athletics; and to the design and construction thereof. Y

It will be understood by those familiar with the art to which this invention appertains, that the collapse of lmost playground and similar equipment is dueto the concealed corrosion and decomposition at the ground level and base line of the material from which such equipment is made.-

. The objects of this invention are to eliminate concealed corrosion anddecomposition; to eliminate the condensation of moisture and the expansion and contraction of construction material; to eliminate the hazard of apparatus collapse with resulting bodily injury to the users; to provide new and novel apparatus design and construction; to minimize apparatus cost, both initial andmaintenance; to provide a new and novel means of bracing andv strengthening suchk apparatus; to minimize the space required for a given amount of equipment; to provide a new and novel construction for vertical beams, horizontal beams, diagonal braces, and means for joining, connecting, and setting up of the same;

to provide a new and novel construction utilizing o standard H beams, T beams, and angle iron; to

provide a simplified construction which renders possible perfection in assembly by an ordinary workman without the need of those special tools as are ordinarily associated with assembly jobs; to provide new and novel adjustment means adaptable for relevelling and Areassembling the equipment; and to provide the vvarious other advantages and results ,made evident from the following specication.

I accomplish the objects of this invention by utilizing standardized H beams, T beams, angle irons, so called, and bolts, all preferably of steel, in combination with re-enforced concrete foundations, but it will be understood that any suitable material may be used. The vertical beams or uprights are preferably H beams, so called. The horizontal beams are preferably T beams, so called, and the vertical and diagonal braces are preferably of angle iron, so called. A minimum amount of preparation of the H beam is required and is performed by cutting out a portion of the web of the H beam so as to leave the flanges of the H beam extending beyond the cut away portion of the web. The extending portions are then bent inward in the direction of each other, at the point where the web is c ut away,v and the extreme en'ds areA in a position parallelttoeach other and parallel withl the flanges of ther H beam where the web has not been outv away.: A series of holes are then placed in the extension ends to provide forumeansvof assembling, securingand adjusting, and to receive the bolts with which the; various` parts ofthe apparatus are secured together.

The 4apparatus isdiagonally lbraced atl the top against end motion by short angle irons which maybe optionally placed outside or in-y side the vertical H beams. The Aangle iron used for. the bracingpurpose being connected with the IH beam upright near its top, andxto the TV beam horizontal near the upright. The vertical m H beams are' also bracedby vertical angle iron braces extending therefrom at their upper portions to the ground. The vertical angle `iron braces, extending from thel vupper portion of the H beam to the ground, aresetiiat side downward so asl to avoid and makeit uncomfortable d for users to climb and 'hang thereon. The horizontal T beam is placed with its flange down in the assembly. A series of holes are then placed in thislower flange of the T beams at various intervals for the purpose of aording opportunity'f'or hanging swings, acrobatic rings, climbing ladders, ropes,'etc., or other gymnastic or `recreational equipment thereto. A wide variety of' equipment may thus be assembled with '30 minimum cost with the assurance that at no time will there be any interior deterioration, decomposition, and resulting collapse.

Referring to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in? which similar letters of reference refer to `similar parts throughout the various view, Figure 1 shows an end view of one embodiment of my apparatus. Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail View of the various component parts in juxta- 40 position which are joined to form the upper portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a cross sectional View of the vertical upright on the line 3-3 in Figure 1. Figure 4 shows a cross sectional view of the vertical angle iron braces on the line 4-4 in Figure 1. Figure 5 shows a side view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1. Figure 6 shows a side View in another embodiment of my apparatus with the diagonal angle iron braces from the vertical uprights to the horizontal beams set as outside braces rather than as inside braces shown in Figure 5. f

Referring again to the drawings, A shows the vertical uprights which are formed as herein stated from H beams or I beams. B shows the vertical angle iron braces extending from the top of the H beam to the plane upon which the apparatus is erected. C shows the horizontal T beam supported at the top of the vertical H beam upright. A2 shows the reenforced foundation upon which and in which the Vertical upright is supported. B2 shows the foundation in and on which :the angle iron braces are supported. C2 or C3 show holes in the T beam horizontal C which are adaptable to register with the holes A2 in the vertical upright A. A3 shows where the web of the vertical H beam uprightA is cut away, and the flanges A4 are bent inwardly towards each other. A5 shows the point on the iianges at which they are again bent into position parallel to each other as at A6. A7 shows holes in the extending portions A4 adaptable to register with the holes B2 and B3 and which holes are adaptable to receive the bolts B4, which bolts are secured in position by the nuts thereon B5. The horizontal beam C is secured in erected position by the bolts C4 with the nuts C5 thereon. C6 shows the holes in the lower portion of the T beam horizontal to which the swings C7 or other gymnastic or recreational apparatus are secured.

Referring again to Figure 5, the short diagonal angle iron braces D, from the T beam horizontal to the vertical uprights, are placed in what may be called inside position in contradistinction to the outside position D2 shown in Figure 6.

Adjustment means to provide for the re-levelling of the horizontal T beams and bringing into perpendicular the vertical H beams, that the attached apparatus may swing to and from a horizontal plane, are provided by a series of holes such, for instance, as C2 or C3 in the T beam horizontal C, in combination with the holes A2 in the vertical upright A and the bolts C4 and nuts C5 passing through such holes when properly registered. In event it is desired to elevate the T beam horizontal C at one end, the holes C3 are registered with the holes A2 and the bolt C4 inserted therethrough. And in event it is desired to lower the T beam horizontal C at one end, the holes C2 are registered with the holes A2 and the bolt C4 placed therethrough when so registered. Similar means of adjustment to make vertical H beams perpendicular are provided at the upper end of the vertical angle iron braces B, and comprise a series of holes therein designated as B2 or B2, adaptable to register with the holes A7 on the H beam vertical upright A. Likewise a series of holes may be placed near the point of contact with the diagonal angle iron braces D or D2 in the web of the vertical H beam upright so as to provide for any adjustment desired when any one of said holes register with the holes in the angle iron braces D or D2. Or optionally a series of holes may be placed in the diagonal angle iron braces rather than on the vertical upright beams, or a series of adjustment orifices may optionally be placed on the T beam horizontal. Optional adjustment means to provide for repositioning the short diagonal iron braces to meet the resultant 'change in the re-levelling of the apparatus is had by oversized holes in the flange portion of the T brace, and oversized bolts and nuts used thereon.'

While I have illustrated and described a preferred construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation or modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I therefore do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction herein set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claims.

The structure herein described is adaptable for all playground, gymnasium, and recreational apparatus such as swings, see-saws, slides, etc. My improved apparatus may be grouped in units or assembled in extended formation as desired. `Parallel vertical uprights may be utilized upon which to mount a horizontal bar or bars for use with well recognized exercises.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America:-

1. An apparatus of the class described, comprising spaced beamsV having their upper ends provided with terminal iianges bent to provide inclined portions and parallel spaced portions, a cross beam engageable between the parallel spaced portions, and brace bars having parts thereof secured in intimate engagement with the inclined portions of said beams.

2. An apparatus of the class described, comprising a pair of spaced vertically disposed beams including webs and flanges, the ilanges extending upwardly from the webs and bent to provide inwardly inclined portions and parallel spaced portions, a cross beam including a web tain said bars in inclined relationship with re' spect to the said'beams.

l/VILLARD H. SHAFFERT. 

